Forensic Science Degree in Gresham, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Gresham, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Gresham
Cost of Living
110.2
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Gresham, OR Overview
While Gresham has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Forensic Science students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,788/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Gresham is approximately $55,100.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,788/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,238/yr
Unemployment
3.9%
Graduation Rate
75%
Forensic Science Salary in Gresham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gresham's cost of living index of 110.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Gresham adjustment factor: 1.10x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Gresham
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Gresham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Gresham avg aid: $11,238/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,752
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,530
vs HS diploma in Gresham
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gresham
$336,048
Lifetime earnings premium ($440,800) minus total education cost ($104,752)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Gresham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gresham for Forensic Science
Gresham State University
public
$11,604/yr
$46,416 total
University of Gresham
public
$12,019/yr
$48,076 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gresham Community College
$5,463/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Gresham
Gresham offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gresham Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Gresham
International Relations
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$55K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$55K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$48K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Gresham — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Forensic Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Gresham.